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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Lightly-raced New Zealand-bred six-year-old Just Wing It is developing into a standing-start specialist for Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri and star reinsman Chris Lewis.

The Art Major gelding got away safely but slowly from the 10m mark before finishing strongly to win the 2503m Retravision Handicap by a half-length from the $2 favourite Glenledi Chief. He was the $3.80 second fancy, who four days earlier had charged home from eighth at the bell to finish an eye-catching third behind Glenledi Chief in a 2631m stand at Pinjarra.

Just Wing It settled down in sixth position, several lengths behind the pacemaker Gee Smith, while Glenledi Chief was left racing without cover. Lewis then enjoyed a perfect trip, racing in the one-out, one-back position on the back of Glenledi Chief, who took the lead about 220m from home.

Glenledi Chief was unable to hold out the strong-finishing Just Wing It, who hit the front 60m from the post. This was Just Wing It’s third win in a stand in WA.

“He loves the stand, and I thought it was a niche for him,” said Olivieri. “He is a nice strong horse, who would be a Free-For-Aller if he didn’t hit his knees. He still touches his knees a bit, depending on the circumstances.

“Tonight, he turned his 10m handicap into about 25m. And that suggests he could win off 20m. He begins safely but slowly and is likely to have a few more runs in stands.”

Five-year-old Wildwest, a temperamental pacer with a habit of hanging in his races, reappeared after an eight-month absence. He started off the back mark of 40m and was seventh at the bell before finishing strongly, out five wide, to be a close-up and encouraging fifth.